Friday, July 6, 2012

Google Launches Google+ Hangout Accessibility App

Google is working on making Google+ more accessible for users with hearing disabilities. The app called Hangout Captions to help integrate live transcription into Google+ Hangouts.

Google announced that it is launching a new app that makes Google+ Hangouts more accessible for people with hearing disabilities.

Hangout Captions app provides a transcript of a Hangout that can be read by people who are deaf or hard of hearing, allowing them to participate in the conversation as well.

By adding the +Hangout Captions app allows two options of transcription. The first is professional transcription through StreamText, and the second is basic transcription which you do yourself by typing on the keyboard.

WHAT IS ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY?

“Adaptive Technology refers to any item, piece of equipment, or product system, modified or customized, that is used to increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence. (29 U.S.C. Sec 22202).”

Adaptive Technology truly "opens the door" to life for people with disabilities. Moreover, it helps to compensate for the effects of disability such as loss of speech, paralysis, and visual impairment, cognitive problems, in an active and positive manner. It places the focus not on what is lost but on what is possible...what is constructive...what can be done! (Buning, 2008).”

Individuals with learning disabilities often have difficulty with skills that others take for granted. Reading, listening, organizing information or writing skills may improve significantly from the use of assistive technology.